Connection tool for use with patient carrying systems

ABSTRACT

Provided herein is a connection tool for connecting to an object a carabiner that has an internal space and a carabiner opening for admitting the object to the internal space. The connection tool includes a support structure and a handle connected to the support structure. The support structure defines a support opening sized and shaped to permit the carabiner to be received and withdrawn from the support structure. The support structure is sized and shaped to hold the carabiner while leaving the carabiner opening unobstructed such that the object can be admitted to and removed from the internal space through the carabiner opening such that the carabiner can be connected to and disconnected from an object not reachable by hand using the tool.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/791,916 filed on May 30, 2007, which is a 371 National PhaseApplication of PCT/CA2005/001842, filed Dec. 2, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of medical care for patients thatare bedridden or otherwise have difficulty moving on their own. Inparticular, this invention relates to the field of patient-carryingdevices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bedridden patients generally require highly focused and specializedmedical care. As such, patients are typically unable to move on theirown, and caring for them usually involves the use of patient-carryingdevices. A common type of patient-carrying device is a portable systemwith a support frame that supports an overhead rail with a trolleymovably mounted thereto. The patient is placed in a harness, in whichthe harness is connected to a loop or eye-bolt depending from thetrolley. The patient is lifted, and then moved by the caregiver alongthe overhead track. In this way, the patient can be moved from onelocation to another (e.g. from a bed to a wheelchair, or from awheelchair to the toilet).

Typically, the patient harness is coupled to a loop or eye-boltdepending from the track. It is common for the overhead track to be sohigh above the floor that the loop is not reachable by hand. Therefore,typically, a reaching tool is used to connect the harness with the loop.A typical reaching tool consists of a handle fixedly attached to a hookfrom which the strap for the harness depends. Once the hook is hookedonto the loop, the patient is moved with the handle still attached tothe hook.

This configuration presents a number of problems. First, the elongatehandle of the reaching tool remains attached to the harness strap whilethe patient-carrying device is in use. This presents safety concerns,because it is possible for the caregiver to be struck by the handle asthe trolley is moved. In addition, the elongate handle can easily strikewalls or furniture as the trolley is moved, thus, causing damage andinconvenience.

In addition, the prior art hook that connects to the loop is typically afixed open hook. Such hooks are used because, since the loop istypically out of reach, and the reaching tool must be used, the hook canonly be anchored to and unanchored from the loop if the hook is an openhook. However, regulations in many jurisdictions require that any hookor carabiner used in the carrying of patients must form a closed shape,to ensure that the hook does not slip off and cause the patient to fall.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,955 (“Katsma”) discloses a carabiner for use bymountain climbers. The carabiner includes a body and a latch, as well asa trigger. The trigger forces the latch to a closed position in responseto loading. Absent a load, there is a biasing element that biases thelatch to an open position when the latch is at least three-quartersopen, and otherwise biases the latch to a closed position. Thus, thebiasing element is bidirectional, urging the latch in differentdirections depending on the latch's position.

The trigger and biasing element are positioned at the top of thecarabiner and, thus, distal from the load (typically the climber or hispack) positioned below the carabiner. The trigger is actuated by theconnector connecting the carabiner to the object above it.

The carabiner of Katsma, however, does not solve the problems describedabove. For example, the carabiner of Katsma, once closed, must be pushedopen by hand in order to overcome the biasing element. However, asexplained above, the loops to which patients are typically attachedoften cannot be reached by hand. Also, the trigger being distal from theload makes it difficult to unhook the carabiner from the object above,because the connector is connected through the trigger.

Other carabiners, including those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,576,352and 1,010,952, also do not solve the problems that arise with patientcarrying devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, what is required is a carabiner or similar attachment devicewhich can be efficiently connected to a patient-carrying track at apoint that may not be reachable by hand, and can also be easilydisconnected from the track conveniently. The carabiner should meet thesafety requirements associated with carabiners used withpatient-carrying devices. The invention also preferably includes aconnection tool for connecting the carabiner to the patient-carryingdevice.

Therefore, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided acarabiner for bearing a load and for anchoring the load to an object,the carabiner comprising:

-   -   a body having an internal space, the body having an opening for        admitting the object to the internal space and for withdrawing        the object from the internal space, the body being sized,        shaped, and positioned to bear the load and to anchor to an        object;    -   a closure movably coupled to the body, the closure being movable        to an open position, and to a closed position in which the        opening is closed by the closure such that the body and the        closure define a closed shape;    -   an actuator, coupled to the closure and operatively connected to        the body, the actuator being configured to cause the closure to        move to the closed position in response to loading of the        carabiner, mid to cause the closure to move from the closed        position to the open position in response to unloading of the        carabiner.

Preferably, the actuator includes a biasing element, coupled to theclosure, for urging the closure to said fully open position. Preferably,the actuator further comprises a trigger coupled to the closure and tothe body, the trigger being sized, shaped, and positioned to move theclosure to the closed position in response to loading of the carabiner.Preferably, the trigger and biasing element are sized, shaped, andpositioned to move the closure to the closed position in response toloading of the carabiner by overcoming the urging of the biasingelement. Preferably, the biasing element is operatively connected to thetrigger, and the trigger is operatively connected to the closure.Preferably, the biasing element comprises one or more springs bearing onthe body and on the trigger. Preferably, the trigger is sized, shaped,and positioned such that the trigger moves in response to the loading ofthe carabiner, and said movement of the trigger causes the closure tomove to the closed position. Preferably, the closure is rotatablymounted to the body. Preferably, the closure and actuator are sized,shaped, and positioned so that the closure rotates in response to anactuator movement. Preferably, the biasing element is sized, shaped, andpositioned to be unidirectional, whereby the biasing element urges theclosure toward the open position and not toward the closed position.Preferably, the carabiner further includes an axle mounted to the body,and wherein the closure is rotatably mounted on the axle. Preferably,the springs and trigger are sized, shaped, and positioned so that thesprings are compressed when the closure is in the closed position.Preferably, the springs and trigger are sized, shaped, and positioned sothat the springs are compressed when the carabiner is bearing the load.Preferably, the actuator is positioned on the carabiner proximal to theload. Preferably, the carabiner includes a closure holder, the closureand closure holder being sized, shaped, and mutually positioned suchthat the closure holder releasably holds the closure in the closedposition. Preferably, the trigger includes a connector receiver forreceiving a connector for use in connecting the carabiner to thepatient. Preferably, the connector receiver comprises a slot in saidtrigger. Preferably, the slot is configured to receive a strap acting asthe connector. Preferably, the body includes a connector access forpermitting access to the connector receiver.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided aconnection tool for connecting to an object a carabiner that has aninternal space and a carabiner opening for admitting the object to theinternal space, the tool comprising:

-   -   a support structure having a support opening sized and shaped to        permit the carabiner to be received and supported by the support        structure and withdrawn from the support structure, the support        structure being sized and shaped to hold the carabiner while        leaving the carabiner opening unobstructed such that the object        can be admitted to the internal space through the carabiner        opening;    -   a handle connected to the support structure, whereby the        carabiner can be connected to or disconnected from an object not        reachable by hand using the tool.

Preferably, the handle is length-adjustable. Preferably, thelength-adjustable handle is telescopically extendible and contractable.Preferably, the handle further includes a stopper for selectively fixingthe length of the handle. Preferably, the stopper comprises a threadedring tightener. Preferably, the support structure includes a connectoropening therein for receiving a connector depending from the carabiner,whereby a strap or other connector depending from the carabiner fits inthe connector opening and, thus, does not interfere with the connectionand disconnection of the carabiner using the tool. Preferably, theconnector opening is contiguous with the insertion opening. In anotheraspect of the invention, there is provided a method of loading a patientonto an overhead patient-carrying device, the method comprising thesteps of:

-   -   connecting a carabiner to the overhead patient carrying device        using the connection tool; withdrawing said tool from said        carabiner such that the carabiner remains connected to the        patient-carrying device;    -   attaching a patient to the carabiner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be illustrated by way of example only, in theattached drawings, which show the preferred embodiment of the invention,and in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a prior art attachment device for usewith a patient-carrying device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carabiner according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a second perspective view of the carabiner according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the carabiner taken along line 4-4of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is the same cross-sectional view of the carabiner as FIG. 4, butshows the closure in the closed position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the connection tool according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a second perspective view of the connection tool according tothe present invention;

FIG. 8 is a close-up perspective view of a top portion of the connectiontool according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a close-up plan view of a portion of the connector tool'shandle;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a support structure;

FIG. 11 is a cross-section view along line 11-11 of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the carabiner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, a prior art configuration of a device forcarrying a patient across a floor 1 is shown. The patient-carryingdevice shown in FIG. 1 includes a harness 2 for holding a patient (notshown) as the patient is transported across the floor. The harness 2 isconnected to the eye-bolt 6 via the strap 3, which is hooked onto thehook 5, which hook 5 is hooked to the eye-bolt 6. The eye-bolt 6 isattached to a trolley (not shown) positioned within the track 8. As theeye-bolt 6 is often not reachable by hand because of its height, thehandle or reaching arm 4, which is fixed to the hook 5, is used to hookthe hook 5 onto the eye-bolt 6. The reaching arm 4, being fixed to thehook 5, remains in place while the patient-carrying device is used tomove the patient from one location to another.

The eye-bolt 6 is attached to the trolley which can move in either oftwo directions along the overhead track 8. The track 8 is supported inits raised position by a support frame (not shown).

The hook 5 is an open hook, i.e. it does not define a closed shape. Thispermits the hook 5 to be hooked and unhooked from the eye-bolt 6 usingthe reaching arm 4.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, a carabiner 10 for bearing a load, and foranchoring the load to an object, is shown. The object preferably takesthe form of a loop 11, which connects the carabiner 10 to apatient-carrying device (not shown). It will be appreciated that theinvention comprehends other types of objects besides the loop 11. Forexample, the object may comprise an eye-bolt 6. What is important isthat the carabiner 10 can anchor the load to the object. The carabiner10 includes a body 12 which is sized, shaped, and positioned to bear theload and anchor to an object. The carabiner 10 further includes atrigger 14 having a connector receiver in the form of a slot 16, formedin the trigger 14, for receiving a connector in the form of the strap 17shown in the dotted outline in FIG. 3. It will be appreciated that thestrap 17 functions to connect a patient harness (not shown) to thecarabiner 10.

The trigger 14 is movably coupled to the body 12, as well as to theclosure 20, which closure, in the preferred embodiment, takes the formof an elongate element rotatably mounted to the body 12 by means of theaxle 21. The axle 21 is mounted to and extends through both the body 12and the closure 20 so that the closure 20 is rotatably mounted to theaxle 21 and to the body 12. The closure 20 is sized, shaped, andpositioned to leave open the opening 18 in the body 12 when in its openposition, and to close the opening 18 when in the closed position. Theopening 18 functions to admit an object into the internal space 19 ofthe carabiner 10, and in particular, of the body 12. It will beappreciated that, in its preferred use, the carabiner 10 anchors to anobject, such as a strap loop 11 depending from a trolley mounted to theoverhead rail of a portable patient-carrying device. It will beappreciated, however, that the carabiner 10 may be used with other typesof patient-carrying devices, or with other types of loads besidespatients, and still be comprehended by the invention.

This anchoring preferably takes place by the loop 11 being admittedthrough the opening 18 into the internal space 19. In turn, the patientharness is connected to the carabiner 10 by means of the strap 17received within the slot 16. The slot 16 and the trigger 14 are sized,shaped, and positioned to line the slot 16 up with the connector access15 formed within the body 12. It will be appreciated that the connectoraccess 15 provides access for the connector that connects the carabiner10 and the patient harness. In the preferred embodiment, this connectorcomprises the strap 17, but it will be appreciated that the inventioncomprehends other types of connectors, connector receivers, andconnector accesses which take forms other than the preferred formsherein described.

The closure 20 most preferably further includes a latch 22 sized,shaped, and positioned so that when the closure 20 moves to the closedposition, the latch 22 is releasably held within the closure holder,which takes the form of a notch 24 in the body 12. The notch 24 is mostpreferably positioned adjacent to the opening 18. The latch 22 mostpreferably takes the form of an elongate member extending across thewidth of the closure 20 that is sized, shaped, and positioned to bereleasably gripped by the notch 24 in the closed position. It will beappreciated that the invention comprehends configurations for theclosure 20 without the latch 22, and configurations of the carabiner 10that do not include the preferred notch 24 for gripping the latch. Whatis important is that the closure 20 be movable to a closed position,and, preferably, that the carabiner 10 includes a closure holder that issized, shaped, and mutually positioned with the closure such that theclosure holder releasably holds the closure 20 in the closed position.

The trigger 14 is preferably positioned within the body 12 and coupledthereto, so that the slot 16 lines up with the access 15. As can be seenmost clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5, the trigger 14 is mounted within the body12 and is coupled to a biasing element that preferably takes the form ofone or more springs 26, and most preferably two springs 26, operativelyconnected to the trigger 14. The springs 26 preferably comprise coilsprings coiled around spring support shafts 28, the springs 26 beingoperatively connected to the body 12. Preferably, the springs 26 bearagainst the body 12 to bear against and exert a force on the trigger 14.

The trigger 14 is operatively connected to the closure 20, preferably bymeans of the trigger teeth 30 of the trigger 14 mated with closure teeth32 of the closure 20. Thus, as the trigger 14 moves, the trigger teeth30 bear on the closure teeth 32, thus, moving the closure 20, byrotating it about the axle 21. In the preferred embodiment shown inFIGS. 2-5, the springs 26, the trigger 14, and the closure 20 are sized,shaped, and positioned so that the closure 20 is biased to an openposition. Thus, the springs 26 are coupled to the body 12, preferablyindirectly via the trigger 14. Then, as the trigger 14 is moved so as tocompress the springs 26, the closure 20 is rotated to the closedposition.

It will be appreciated that the invention comprehends other ways ofcoupling of the trigger 14 to the closure 20 besides the preferred teethdescribed above. For example, the coupling could be accomplished by arivet coupling the trigger 14 and the closure 20. The invention alsocomprehends a configuration wherein the trigger 14 causes the movementof the closure 20 without movement of the trigger 14 itself.

It will also be appreciated that the trigger 14 and biasing element neednot take the preferred form described herein. Other forms arecomprehended by the invention. For example, the trigger 14 can be formedwith the closure 20 in a single piece. The biasing element may take theform of one or more springs, which may be integral with the trigger 14or the closure 20. Alternatively, the biasing element could take morecomplex forms, such as, for example, an electronic sensor that causes apneumatic system to hold the closure 20 open unless a load is sensed, inwhich case, the closure 20 is caused to close. It will be appreciatedthat such a biasing element configuration is not preferred, because itis more expensive and complex than the preferred form described herein.What is important is that the closure closes in response to carabinerload and opens in response to carabiner unloading.

In operation, the strap 17 is threaded through the slot 16 and emergeson both sides of the body 12 from the connector access 15. When thepatient is connected to the strap 17, or the carabiner 10 is otherwiseloaded, the strap 17 forces the trigger 14 to move (preferablydownward), so as to compress the springs 26. As the trigger 14 moves,the trigger teeth 30 act on the closure teeth 32 to cause the closure 20to rotate to the closed position. Thus, the closure 20 is moved to theclosed position in response to loading of the carabiner 10. The springs26 are compressed when the closure 20 is in the closed position and thecarabiner 10 is loaded. When the carabiner 10 is unloaded, the springs26 expand because the load is no longer forcing them to compress. Thetrigger 14 moves (preferably upward) because of the force of the springs26, and by means of the teeth 30, 32, the closure 20 is rotated to theopen position. Thus, in response to the unloading of the carabiner 10,the closure 20 is moved from the closed position to the open position.The springs 26 function to bias the closure 20 to the open position.

It will be appreciated that the trigger 14 and biasing element(preferably in the form of springs 26) function together as an actuatorconfigured to cause the closure 20 to move to the closed position inresponse to the loading of the carabiner 10, and to cause the closure 20to move from the open position to the closed position in response to thecarabiner 10 being unloaded. The actuator, therefore, preferablycomprises a biasing element, preferably coupled to the closure 20 and tothe body 12, for urging the closure 20 to the fully open position, and atrigger 14, preferably coupled to the closure 20 and to the body 12,which trigger 14 is preferably sized, shaped, and positioned to move theclosure 20 to the closed position in response to loading of thecarabiner 10.

It will be appreciated that the “closed position” is the position of theclosure 20 in which the object (preferably the loop depending from thetrolley) cannot be withdrawn via the opening 18 from the internal space19 of the body 12. The “open position” comprises the range of positionsof the closure 20, which permit the object (preferably the loop) to bewithdrawn via the opening 18 from the internal space 19 of the body 12.

It will also be appreciated that the biasing element is preferablyconfigured to be unidirectional, i.e. it biases the closure 20 in thedirection of the open position, and not in the direction of the closedposition. This configuration is to be contrasted with bidirectionalbiasing elements, including those that bias the closure 20 to an openposition when the closure 20 is in some positions within its range ofmotion, and to a closed position when the closure 20 is at otherpositions. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the unidirectional biasingelement urges the closure 20 to the open position, including when theclosure 20 is in the closed position.

Preferably, the actuator is positioned proximal to, rather than distalfrom, the load. Thus, in the case of the carabiner 10 used to anchor apatient to a patient-carrying device, the load is positioned below thecarabiner 10. The actuator is preferably positioned at the bottom of thebody 12 rather than the top, i.e., proximal to the load, rather thandistal, from it.

It will be appreciated that the actuator need not take the preferredform of the trigger 14 and biasing element. The invention comprehendsother forms for the actuator. For example, the actuator could comprisean electromechanical device that closes the closure 20 in the responseto a load and opens it in response to unloading.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-12, a preferred form of the connector tool 33is shown. The connector tool 33 includes a support structure 34 havingan insertion opening 35 sized and shaped to permit the insertion andwithdrawal from the support structure 34 of a carabiner 10 that has aninternal space 19, as well as a carabiner opening 18 for admitting tothe internal space an object to be connected to the carabiner 10. Thesupport structure 34 is also sized and shaped to hold the carabiner 10within the support structure 34 after insertion while leaving thecarabiner opening 18 unobstructed, so that the object (not shown) can beadmitted to the internal space. The preferred support structure 34 issized and shaped to receive and support the preferred carabiner 10,though the invention comprehends that the support structure 34 can besized and shaped for use with any carabiner that can be anchored to anobject.

The preferred support structure 34 includes two support walls 36, 38,and a support floor 39, which support a carabiner 10 inserted thereinfrom the rear (i.e. against the portion of the body 12 opposite theopening), as well as from underneath and from the sides of the bottomhalf of the carabiner 10. However, it will be appreciated that thesupport structure 34 is sized and shaped so that when the carabiner 10is contained within the support structure 34, the carabiner opening 18is accessible so as to permit an object to be hooked or anchored intothe carabiner 10 via the carabiner opening 18.

The connector tool 33 further preferably includes a telescopicallyextendible handle comprising two handle portions 42, 46. In thepreferred embodiment, the portion 46 fits telescopically within theportion 42. The handle is, thus, extendible by partially extractingportion 46 from portion 42, and contractable by inserting portion 46further into portion 42.

The connector tool 33 further preferably includes a stopper in the formof a threaded tightening ring 44 for releasably fixing the length of thehandle. In the preferred embodiment, the threaded ring 44 is mounted toa compressible threaded end portion 45 of the portion 42. The portion 42has threading 43. When the ring 44 is tightened, the end portion 45compresses against the portion 46, so that the portions 46 and 42 areheld stationary relative to one another, and the length of the handle isfixed until the ring 44 is loosened. The ring, thus, stops the portions42, 46 from moving relative to one another.

It will be appreciated that, though preferred, the invention comprehendshandles that are not length adjustable.

The connector tool 33 further preferably includes a connector opening 48therein for receiving a connector depending from the carabiner 10.Preferably, the connector is a strap 17 for connecting the carabiner 10to a patient harness. Thus, the connector opening 48 preferably takesthe form of a slit between the walls 36, 38, and through the floor 39,the slit being sized and shaped to receive a strap 17.

The connector opening 48 functions to receive the connector thatconnects the carabiner 10 to the patient harness. It will be appreciatedthat the connector, if not received within the opening 48, couldinterfere with the carabiner 10 being properly supported within thesupport structure 34. For example, in the case where the connector takesthe form of a strap 17, if the preferred carabiner 10 were inserted intothe support structure 34, the strap 17 would bunch up within the supportstructure, thus interfering with the insertion and support of thecarabiner 10 within the support structure 34. However, the connectoropening 48 permits the strap 17 to be received within the opening 48 sothat the strap 17 does not bunch within the support structure 34.

Most preferably, the opening 48 is contiguous with the opening 35. Itwill be appreciated that this permits efficient use of the connectortool 33 to unhook the carabiner 10 from the loop 11 depending fromtrolley of the patient-carrying device. Specifically, after the patienthas been removed from the harness, the strap 17 depending from thecarabiner 10 will be hanging loosely downward. To unhook the carabiner10 from the loop 11, a user can take the tool 33 and slide the strap 17into the opening 48. Then using the strap 17 as a guide, the user canmove the tool 33 upward until the carabiner 10 enters the supportstructure 34 through the opening 35. Because the strap 17 was receivedthrough the slit 48, the strap does not interfere with the carabiner 10entering the support structure 34 through the opening 35 and beingsupported within the support structure 34. The tool 33 is then movedslightly higher still, and then moved sideways, to unhook the carabiner10 from the loop 11 by having the loop 11 exit the opening 18 of thecarabiner 10. The tool 33 can then be withdrawn so that the user canremove the carabiner 10 from the support structure 34 (e.g. by hand).

It will be appreciated that the support structure 34 can have adifferent configuration than the preferred configuration describedabove, while still being comprehended by the invention. For example, thestructure 34 could comprise a magnet that attracts a magnet on theunderside of the carabiner 10. The support opening 35 would, in thiscase, comprise the open space adjacent the magnet that permits access bythe carabiner magnet. What is important is that the support structure 34be configured to hold the carabiner 10 while leaving the carabineropening 18 unobstructed.

Although not required, the tool 33 preferably includes a supplementaryholder. Most preferably, the holder takes the form of two grippers 50,one flexibly mounted to each wall 36, 38. The grippers 50 eachpreferably comprise an arm 52 flexibly attached to the wall 36, 38 witha protrusion 54 depending from the arm.

Preferably, the carabiner 10 includes two cavities 56 positioned one oneach side of the carabiner 10 so as to line up with the protrusions 54on each wall 36, 38 when the carabiner 10 is inserted fully into thestructure 34. As the carabiner 10 is inserted into the structure 34, theprotrusions 54 contact the carabiner 10 and the arms are flexed outwardaway from the carabiner 10. When insertion is completed, the protrusions54 line up with the cavities 56 and the arms flex back toward thecarabiner 10 with the protrusions 54 entering the cavities 56 so as toremovably hold the carabiner 10 in the structure 34. The protrusions 54and cavities 56 are sized, shaped, and positioned so that when force isapplied by the human arm to remove the carabiner 10 from the structure34, the protrusions pop out of the cavities and the carabiner 10 isremoved.

It will be appreciated that the invention comprehends other types ofsupplementary holders. For example, the supplementary holder couldcomprise a magnet inside the structure 34 that is attracted to a magneton the carabiner 10. What is important is that the supplementary holderfunction to hold the carabiner 10 more firmly (yet still removably)within the carabiner 10.

While the foregoing embodiments of the present invention have been setforth in considerable detail, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that various modifications can be made to the invention withoutdeparting from the scope of the attached claims. Some of thesevariations are discussed above and others will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. For example, the body 12 of the carabiner 10, aswell as the actuator, may take forms different from the preferred formsdescribed above, and still be comprehended by the invention. What isimportant is that the closure 20 be closed in response to loading of thecarabiner 10, and opened in response to unloading of the carabiner 10.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A connection tool for connecting to anobject a carabiner that has an internal space and a carabiner openingfor admitting the object to the internal space, wherein the carabinerhas, depending therefrom, a patient harness connector for connecting thecarabiner to a patient harness, the tool comprising: a support structurehaving a support opening sized and shaped to permit the carabiner to bereceived and supported by the support structure and withdrawn from thesupport structure, the support structure being sized and shaped to holdthe carabiner while leaving the carabiner opening unobstructed such thatthe object can be admitted to and removed from the internal spacethrough the carabiner opening; a handle connected to the supportstructure, whereby the carabiner can be connected to and disconnectedfrom an object not reachable by hand using the tool, the supportstructure including a patient harness connector opening sized, shaped,and positioned to receive the patient harness connector and tofacilitate use of the patient harness connector as a guide wherein thesupport structure is moved along the patient harness connector towardthe carabiner until the carabiner is supported by the support structure,whereby the carabiner can be disconnected from the object not reachableby hand.
 2. A connection tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handleis length-adjustable.
 3. A connection tool as claimed in claim 2,wherein the length-adjustable handle is telescopically extendible andcontractable.
 4. A connection tool as claimed in claim 2, wherein thehandle further includes a stopper for selectively fixing the length ofthe handle.
 5. A connection tool as claimed in claim 4, wherein thestopper comprises a threaded ring tightener.
 6. A connection tool asclaimed in claim 1, wherein a strap or other connector depending fromthe carabiner fits in the connector opening and, thus, does notinterfere with the connection and disconnection of the carabiner usingthe tool.
 7. A connection tool as claimed in claim 6, wherein theconnector opening is contiguous with the support opening.
 8. A method ofloading a patient onto an overhead patient-carrying device, the methodcomprising the steps of: connecting a carabiner to the overhead patientcarrying device using the connection tool of claim 1; withdrawing saidtool from said carabiner such that the carabiner remains connected tothe patient-carrying device; attaching a patient to the carabiner.